COSTA MESA – A gang sweep Wednesday resulted in the arrest of seven men who police believe assaulted and robbed two men as they walked through a Costa Mesa neighborhood.

The attack took place just after midnight Sept. 4, when two Costa Mesa men walking westbound in the 600 block of Plummer Street were confronted by two other men who identified themselves as members of a local gang and demanded money, Costa Mesa police Lt. Mark Manley said.

The gang members continued to follow the two men as they tried to walk home and were soon joined by other men from a nearby home, Manley said.

The victims tried to flee the scene, but one of them was tripped and fell to the ground, Manley said. He was reportedly attacked by eight to 10 gang members, who kicked and punched him, causing a facial fracture and lacerations on his body. His wallet was also stolen during the attack, Manley said.

A witness told police that the suspects had fled into a nearby home. Officers entered the residence to find as many as 25 Costa Mesa gang members and associates partying, Manley said.

Jose Quijano, 20, tried to run from the party but was caught by police and identified as one of the primary suspects in the attack, Manley said. Quijano was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.

A second known gang member, George Quintero, 20, was found with the robbery victim’s wallet and was arrested on suspicion of possession of stolen property, Manley said.

The Costa Mesa Police Department’s gang-enforcement unit helped with the initial call and took over the follow-up investigation, identifying seven additional suspects they believed took part in the attack.

Sean Emery started at the Register in 2006. As a community reporter he covered the city of San Juan Capistrano, before later moving to the Irvine city government and the Orange County Great Park beat. He's currently the night breaking news and crime reporter, covering incidents and issues countywide.

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